[ubuntu] ctrl+alt+fn doesn't bring up a console

When I do ctrl+alt+Fn it just goes to a blank screen. Actually it goes to a washed out white screen. Ctrl+alt+F7 does get me back to the GUI though.

How can I get to those other tty consoles?? Or it may be that it's a display issue, that they simply don't display, though I wouldn't know why? Or do I have to enable this feature somehow? I have looked at my BIOS and there isn't any mention of anything relating to this there.

Thanks for any help!!

ubuntu studio 14.4 64 bit on a sony vaio vpcf116fx

To forum admin people: I initially posted this in the ubuntu studio forum but didn't receive any answers. I'm thinking it may be more general so I thought to move it here, but moving it didn't seem to be an option, so I'm asking here now. Sorry if that was the wrong way to go about that. Please delete the question from the ubuntu studio forum if you think that would be appropriate.